How to Safely Co-Sleep and Share a Bed with Your Newborn
Sharing a room or bed with your baby is an age-old tradition that will always feel like home. There's nothing like being close to your little one through the night for peace of mind and deeper bonding. From baby cots and bassinets to sidecar beds, there are safe and snuggly options to improve sleep for the whole family。
Whether you choose bed-sharing, room-sharing, or something in between, following a few simple safety tips can make nighttime soothing, secure, and restful for everyone.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of co-sleeping, address safety concerns, and provide practical tips on how to co-sleep safely with your newborn. We’ll also share a few must-have products—from baby cots to newborn sleeping pods—that can help support a secure and restful night’s sleep for the whole family.
What Is Co-Sleeping?
The simple answer is sleeping alongside your baby. Here are some of the different options and terms for co-sleeping:
- Room-sharing: Sleeping in the same room but in a separate bed (baby cot, bassinet, sleeping pod).
- Bed-sharing: Sleeping with baby on the same sleeping surface (e.g. your bed).
- Sidecar sleeping: Securing a cot or bassinet on one side of the parents’ bed.
Co-sleeping can help with bonding and easy nighttime breastfeeding but it’s essential to use safe co-sleeping practices to lower the risk of suffocation or SIDS.
Why Parents Co-Sleep
Parents around the world choose co-sleeping for a variety of reasons, including:
- Bonding and closeness
- Convenience of breastfeeding
- Quicker to respond to baby
- Better sleep for everyone
- Less nighttime anxiety
Many countries and cultures around the world consider co-sleeping a normal and acceptable practice. However, Western medical advice can be mixed on the subject, and many authorities warn strongly against bed-sharing without following safe co-sleeping safety guidelines.
Is It Safe To Co-Sleep with a Newborn?
Yes, co-sleeping with your newborn is safe, when done correctly. For example, the Plunket and similar organizations around the world recommend room-sharing without bed-sharing as the safest option. Stated simply: Have baby sleep in the same room but in a separate bed for their first 6–12 months (or longer, if possible).
For those who still bed-share with their newborns, there are practices and sleep setups such as baby sleeping pods that can lower the risk.
Safe Co-Sleeping Guidelines Every Parent Should Know
If you and your family are planning to co-sleep, either by bed-sharing or room-sharing, here are some evidence-based safe co-sleeping guidelines:
✅ Do:
* Always lay your baby on their back to sleep. Avoid putting them on their side or stomach.
* Place baby on a firm, flat mattress. Keep pillows, quilts, and other soft bedding away from baby.
* Position your baby away from the edge of the bed to avoid them rolling or falling.
* Check that baby can’t get trapped between the mattress and bed frame or wall.
* Dress baby appropriately for the room temperature. Don’t over or under-dress your newborn.
* Use a certified sleeping pod or co-sleeper bassinet, if using a sidecar or bed-sharing setup.
❌ Don’t:
* Don’t sleep with your baby if you or your partner have had alcohol, medications, or if you’re excessively sleep-deprived.
* Don’t let your baby sleep on a sofa, couch, or armchair. It’s extremely dangerous and not recommended.
* Don’t use soft pillows, heavy duvets, or blankets with your newborn.
* Don’t bed-share with your older children or pets in the same sleeping surface.
Room-Sharing: The Safest Way to Co-Sleep
Room-sharing with your baby is the best practice recommended by the Plunket New Zealand, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and many other experts in sleep safety and infant health. This means having your baby sleep in the same room but a separate space such as a cot, bassinet, or sleeping pod.
Reasons room-sharing is considered the safest way to co-sleep:
* Lowers risk of SIDS
* Allows parents to quickly respond
* Supports breastfeeding and bonding
* Can help everyone in the family get more restful sleep
Room-sharing can help you and your partner respond quickly if needed during the night and it allows parents to have better control over the sleeping environment.
Choosing the Right Sleep Setup for Your Newborn
Sleeping next to your newborn can be a blissful experience, but what setup do you use to ensure their safety? The first rule is to keep your newborn in the same room as you for at least 6 months and up to a year (or longer). You then have three main options for setting up their sleep space:
1. Baby Cot in the Same Room
A regular baby cot or mini cot placed in the same room as you is the most common and long-term setup (suitable for babies up to 2–3 years old). Choose a baby cot with breathable mesh sides, firm mattress, and adjustable height.
Pros:
* Long-term investment
* Comfortable for baby
* Easy to check baby at night without leaving bed
Shop Tip: Look for compact, space-saving cot designs. Ones that can easily fit in a sidecar setup or have drop-down sides (see further down).
2. Sleeping Pod for Newborns (In-Bed Co-Sleeper)
Sleeping pods (also called “baby nests” or in-bed co-sleepers) are portable padded nests designed to provide a snuggly, defined space for your newborn. While not all sleeping pods are recommended for unsupervised overnight sleep, those made with firm bases and breathable, natural fabrics can offer a safe, snug environment when used under close adult supervision.
Pros:
* Helps define the baby’s space when sharing a bed
* Lightweight, portable
* Useful for daytime naps, tummy time, and when traveling
Important: Choose pods designed and approved for overnight co-sleeping. They should be breathable (open-weave, mesh, or half-netting) and easy for you to access. Don’t use overly soft, padded pods, even if your baby doesn’t roll or move much yet.
3. Co-Sleeper Bassinets (Sidecar Beds)
Co-sleeper bassinets are bassinets that connect to the side of your bed with one open side. These options give the closeness and ease of bed-sharing, but without the risks of sharing the same sleeping surface.
Pros:
* Direct access to baby for feeding, no waking up
* No risk of rolling onto baby in the night
* Usually height-adjustable to match your mattress
Bed-Sharing: Making it Safer
If you choose to bed-share with your newborn baby, here are some safety tips and guidelines to make it as safe as possible.
The first rule is only to bed-share if you can follow each of these steps:
✅ Bed-Share Only If:
* You are a non-smoker
* You haven’t had any alcohol, medication, or are extremely sleep-deprived
* Your mattress is firm and flat, with minimal soft bedding away from baby
* Only one adult (ideally breastfeeding mother) is sleeping with the baby
If possible, use a sleeping pod or place baby between mother and a guardrail or fixed object (not between two people).
Breastfeeding and Co-Sleeping
Scientific research found that breastfeeding mothers tend to assume protective sleeping positions naturally when co-sleeping. For example, they’ll unconsciously curl up to shield baby from accidental smothering.
Breastfeeding mothers co-sleeping benefits:
* Easier to feed at night
* Less sleep disruption
* Helps establish milk supply, increases bonding
Bed-sharing is considered unsafe when you’re formula-feeding because those same protective sleeping positions are less instinctual. Use a cot or co-sleeper bassinet instead.
Temperature, Lighting, and Monitoring
1. Keep Baby Cool, Not Cold - The best temperature for babies sleeping in a room with an adult is between 68–72°F/20–22°C. Your baby should be dressed lightly for sleep. Use a swaddle or sleep sack to keep baby warm, but don’t overdress them. If you touch your baby’s neck and it feels sweaty or hot, they’re too warm.
2. Keep the Room Dim - The best lighting for co-sleeping is soft and warm. This has the effect of calming both you and your baby. A small nursery night light can be useful if you need to get up for nighttime feeds.
3. Use a Baby Monitor (for Cot Sleeping) - If your baby is sleeping in a cot in the same room, a video or audio baby monitor is a good way to feel connected. This way you don’t have to keep waking up and checking on them.
Signs Co-Sleeping May Not Be Right For You
There are some circumstances in which co-sleeping may not be recommended or may be unsafe. If you or your partner:
* Are heavy sleepers (have difficulty waking up)
* Suffer from sleep apnea or other breathing conditions
* Take medication that makes you drowsy or sleepy
* Smoke
* Have limited space to safely fit all sleepers
* Feel anxious or worried about rolling onto your baby
In these cases, you may want to avoid bed-sharing. Use a cot or sleeping pod for room-sharing instead.
Safe Co-Sleeping Products We Love
At kiaorababy.co.nz, we believe in making sleep safe, easy, and comfortable for your whole family. Here are some of our most loved co-sleeping products:
⭐ Breathable Baby Sleeping Pod
Made with breathable mesh walls and a firm base, this sleeping pod can create a cozy, defined space for your newborn to use in-bed, for naps, or when traveling. Lightweight, portable, and easy for parents to reach into.
⭐ Babyhood Co-Sleep Cradle
Our 3-in-1 baby cot converts from standalone to sidecar position easily. It’s ideal for parents who want flexibility in setup and use, as well as a long-term baby cot that can last several years.
⭐ Newborn Swaddle & Sleep Bag Combo
Swaddle your newborn in this ultra-soft organic cotton sleep sack. It’s specially designed to support healthy hip development and reduce the startle reflex.
Final Thoughts: Follow Your Family’s Rhythm
Co-sleeping isn’t for every family or every culture. When it comes to finding the right sleep solution, the most important factors are that your baby sleeps safely and that you, as the parents, feel rested and confident.
Whether you want to bed-share, room-share, use a baby cot, sleeping pod, or co-sleeper, you and your baby will form a close, loving bond with warmth, consistency, and plenty of cuddles.
